The Club would like to pass on our huge congratulations to Lucy and Eve on being selected for the Scotland U16 squad. A lot of hard work and dedication from the girls and their fellow team mates, coaches and parents in helping them to progressing to the stage of selection.

Scotland U16 Head Coach, Gordon Lyon, explained that: “The intensity of their experience increases each week. They’ve really had an introduction to what the next level is all about and the intensity doesn’t just mean running around harder, but also the intensity of the focus that they get on their individual techniques.”

The internal game opportunity has been designed to give every player the chance to play in different styles and with different people to bring out the best game for them.

Selecting players for any programme is no easy feat for any coach but Lyon had a rigorous process to go through in selecting his 42 players for this squad.

Lyon said: “We go to watch some games live in the recent Regional series, but then also getting videos from all other games and that was supported by coaches’ feedback. So, for the regional coaches’ feedback and coaches’ nominations we were able to go from the initial 230 players down to 110 players in regional games, before going through the final nomination process of which we selected 42 players. There have been multiple stages where we’ve seen videos, seen some live evidence, and had some real quality feedback that’s been based around the Blueprint principles from Rugby Development and Performance departments.”

The girls are not short of talent and skill, as Lyon continued: “We’re just amazed by the skill set of some of these girls. The creativity that they have and also the tenacity is impressive. For the games, we just want it to be an absolute spectacle of rugby and it just be really enjoyable for all.”

This programme only can mean good things for the women and girls’ game in the local communities. Lyon said: “It’s kind of a top-down approach by giving these players a really good picture at what good rugby, good coaching and good training looks like they can take this back to their clubs, schools and communities to enhance the game for all.”

“We are going to explore the impossible and rewrite what everyone thought U16 girls rugby looks like in Scotland.”

Strathendrick are delighted with the progress the girls have made. The girls programme at the club is in the early stages of its development and to achieve this standard so early is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and players at the club. Well done girls!